Picture this: You arrive with your pet to Canada after flight from another country during peak holiday travel season. After hours of flying, you dread waiting with your pet in a long line at CBSA inspection. You go to the immigration hall and notice a dedicated line for ArriveCAN but are unsure of what it is. After all, you are just ready to get through the arrival process and reach baggage claim.
You scan your passport at a primary inspection kiosk and spend a few minutes completing your declaration form. The bright white flash from the kiosk snaps your photo, and your declaration receipt prints out. Relieved that the primary inspection process only took a few minutes, you think you’re almost done. Unfortunately, you and your pet end up in a long line for a CBSA officer to review your receipt.
After this wait, you’re directed to yet another line for a second officer to check your pet’s health documents. Another 10 minutes pass before the CBSA officer looks at your pet’s health documents, stamps the declaration receipt, and writes a number or your pet’s species on the receipt in red sharpie. By the time you’re finally through, your luggage has already been dropped onto the carousel
How could you have saved those ten minutes of waiting in that first line?
By using ArriveCAN to submit your advance declaration, you could have accessed the express lane, skipping that first line altogether.
What Is ArriveCAN?
ArriveCAN is a mobile app and website that allows eligible travellers to submit their travel documents and customs declaration for free to the Canada Border Services Agency up to 72 hours prior to arrival at a participating Canadian airport. Although submitting an advance declaration does not allow for the submission of your pet’s documents at this time, you will still benefit from faster processing into Canada by using the dedicated express line
Firsthand Experiences Using ArriveCAN
My family, friends, and I have all used ArriveCAN at YVR (Vancouver International Airport), and my clients have used it at YYZ (Toronto Pearson International Airport). Consistently, my family (including my 81 year-old grandma), friends, and clients travelling with pets have reported positive experiences using the app. The process significantly speeds up the inspection process, allowing them to get to their luggage, catch connecting flights, or exit the airport more quickly.
As a NEXUS member, I only use ArriveCAN when travelling with non-NEXUS members to Canada. While I do believe that having NEXUS does allow for an even more streamlined entry to Canada with pets, submitting an advance declaration to CBSA is definetely the next best (and free) option! Additionally, no application or interview with CBSA is required to submit an advance declaration.
Specific Considerations When Declaring Your Pets
Travelling with pets always involves additional steps, such as declaring your pet properly to customs officials. For my clients travelling to Canada from the U.S. or other countries, I provide guidance during pre-departure calls or Loom videos on how to answer the pet and agriculture-specific declaration questions in ArriveCAN. By doing this BEFORE arriving at a Primary Inspection Kiosk after long travel days, my Canada-bound clients travel more confidently and experience shorter wait times with their pets upon arrival.
Conclusion
ArriveCAN is an essential tool for travellers to Canada who do not have NEXUS, especially those with pets. It simplifies the travel process, saves time, and reduces the stress associated with international travel. By submitting an advance declaration, you can ensure a quicker and smoother entry into Canada. I recommend that you download the ArriveCAN app or use the website before you travel home or visit Canada next time!
